Results 4,821-4,840 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: To reiterate, the Deputy is asking whether I am in a position to commit. Quite simply, no, I am not. I cannot commit to a Government decision in advance of a Government meeting which will, as I have clearly indicated, take place this evening at 5 p.m. I note the comments of the judge in the case but it is not possible to give the commitment for which the Deputy is asking in advance. The...

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: If the Deputy wishes to argue over a couple of hours, that is fine.

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: To be fair, the Taoiseach was in the House from 10:30 a.m. until after 1 p.m. today. Other Ministers had commitments and a time of 5 p.m. had been arranged at last night's meeting. Had we tried to bring it forward by several hours, for whatever reason, any attempt to have a full attendance would have experienced difficulties. Other Ministers had other commitments and arrangements. It is...

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: Those are specifically matters for discussion by the Government this evening. I refer back to the point that the Government was aware there would be a ruling this morning. Indeed, the Government was aware there would be a ruling this morning. However, there was only a small number of hours between the time of the ruling, at 10.30 a.m., and the first opportunity for the Government and the...

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: Owing to the-----

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: I do not agree with Deputy Shatter. He referred to the seriousness of the judgment. My view is that the Government takes the judgment very seriously. This is why a Government meeting will discuss the matter this evening on the advice of the Attorney General. Some two weeks or so unfolded from the time the hearing concluded to the judgment. The judge took several weeks to make the...

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: There were two possible outcomes but there was a good deal of detail in the judgment. To have the judgment delivered at 10.30 a.m. this morning and for the Government to review it at 5 p.m. this evening seems absolutely appropriate.

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: Deputy O'Keeffe asked if I accept the judgment of the court. I absolutely accept the judgment of the court.

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: The question tabled was on the Government's response. This debate is in advance of the Government's meeting to make the decisions about which Deputies are asking.

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: I will not go down the road of my personal view because-----

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: -----as I stand here in advance of these discussions, Members have expressed personal views but I have been asked to provide a Government response. The Government has not yet met to issue its response. That will happen later.

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: Regarding the legislation on the timing of by-elections, these issues are part of a broader electoral reform discussion and there are plans made in that regard. Regarding my attendance, while I acknowledge that these private notice questions are addressed to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I have dealt with this issue before in the Chamber and in that context...

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: I am unsure of the Minister's availability.

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: Members are seeking a commitment from Government but I am not in a position to make that commitment in advance of the meeting.

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: The judge's ruling and the advice of the Attorney General will be discussed at this evening's Cabinet meeting. The Government will discuss it at that stage. I do not agree with Deputies O'Dowd and Reilly on the bond spreads and the current rate of 7.2%. We are not in the market. I believe strongly that irrespective of party politics what the bond markets need to see is a credible plan as...

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: Early in the new year the Government will need to re-enter the bond market. That is what the Government is trying to achieve.

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: While this discussion is premature as the Government has not had an opportunity to consider this morning's judgment in the High Court on a case taken by Senator Pearse Doherty, I am happy to inform the House of the position that arises for discussion by the Government later today. On 29 September 2010, I informed Dáil Éireann it was the Government's intention to move the writ for the...

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: As I said at the outset, in some regards this debate is premature. The Government will meet at 5 p.m. this evening and that will be the first opportunity it has had to discuss the matter. On a previous occasion, I indicated to this House that it was the Government's intention to move the writs for the three by-elections that existed at that time, in the first quarter of next year. Given...

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: The Deputy's specific questions concern matters that will arise when the Government has had the opportunity to discuss this issue. The first such opportunity is at 5 p.m. this evening.

Issue of Writs (3 Nov 2010)

John Curran: In an effort to be as helpful as possible, I said the debate was premature. The ruling on this matter was made early this morning. The Taoiseach was in the House until about lunchtime. I do not think it is unreasonable that the Government should be afforded a number of hours to discuss the matter before answering detailed questions. It is not that the Government has not dealt with it, or...